A pleasant enough read, except that the plot is riddled with improbabilities and unbelievable behavior by key characters.
Charlie helps an old school chum
CharlieParker goes for a meal to a Mexican restaurant. Much to her surprise it is owned by Sharon Ortega, an old school chum. Sharon is worried because their business is not doing as well as it did when they first opened. She introduces Charlie to David Ruiz, her partner. Soon after, David is found dead, and the police presume that he has committed sucide. Sharon is in financial trouble and needs the insurance money to keep her restaurant open, so she enlists Charlie's help in proving that David did not die by his own hand. The more Charlie finds out, the more she suspects that David was murdered. She uncovers some shady financial dealings and finds several people who had a motive to murder David. When she gets too close to uncovering the identity of the murderer, Charlie's own life is threatened. This is another good read from the dependable Connie Shelton.
Halfway to a cozy,although not excactly Miss Marples, and it does have suspense and action. A great dog and a wonderfully sleazy accountant (he was my favorite character -the heroine is a CPA to compensate). Dialog always realistic but never crackles. Good on South-Western food. Best descriptions of office furniture since Chandler. I bought a bundle from Amazon's cheapo bargain list of authors I'd never read and this was the best. There are plot implausibilities.
Charlie returns home to Albuquerque after her Hawaiian vacation. Her brother, Ron, meets her at the airport. And guess what? Ron's in love. Is there anything worse than a middle-aged man smitten silly?
Yes--Charlie finds out, when it turns out that Ron's new sweetie is almost twenty years younger! Cute Vicky is full of secrets and Ron is about to get hurt.
In addition to Ron's problems, Charlie runs into an old friend whose business partner has apparently just committed suicide. If that's true, Sharon Ortega will probably lose her business. If it wasn't suicide, Sharon might end up in jail for murdering her partner.
It's a no-win situation until Charlie sorts out the puzzle.
Here's what others have said about the Charlie Parkermysteries: "A well written, by-the-book whodunit that will enthrall purists. Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth." -- Midwest Book Review
"Down to earth and very readable." -- Library Journal
"Charlie is slick, appealing, and nobody's fool..." --Booklist
based on 3 reviews
